Cuba's Ministry of Higher Education (MES) has confirmed its decision not to renew the contract of architect and tenured professor Abel Ernesto Tablada de la Torre at CUJAE's Faculty of Architecture. Tablada himself shared this update on Facebook this past Friday.
Earlier in March, Tablada submitted a letter to the Minister of Higher Education, seeking a reassessment of his case. On Tuesday, March 31, he was summoned for a meeting with high-ranking MES officials to discuss the situation.
During this meeting, which Tablada described as having a "cordial and respectful" atmosphere, officials informed him that the decision stood firm, asserting that no technical or legal procedures had been violated, nor had there been any discrimination.
Tablada challenged these claims, maintaining that the decision was unjust and discriminatory. He also requested that the institution officially explain the reasons behind the decision, as both students and colleagues deserved clarity.
As of yet, university authorities have not issued any written statement on the matter, according to Tablada.
Internal University Discussions
Prior to the MES meeting, university leaders had internally debated the issue and later discussed it with the faculty's governing council, where no consensus was reached. Tablada noted that his peers courageously and clearly criticized the decision as unfounded.
The dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Ruslan Muñoz, who is also Tablada's partner, met with the CUJAE rector and submitted his resignation as dean in protest, although he remains a faculty professor, as stated by Tablada.
Wider Implications and Reactions
This week, senior representatives from the MES, the national Federation of University Students (FEU), and the provincial party summoned faculty leaders—including the governing council, the Communist Party of Cuba, the union, and the FEU—to justify the decision's ratification. Yet again, the faculty expressed their dissatisfaction, and according to Tablada, the meeting concluded without mutual understanding.
Despite acknowledging he has grounds to contest the decision, Tablada announced he will not pursue legal action to protect his parents. "There are elements that would allow me to denounce this as discrimination," he wrote on Facebook, but he explained that "this situation has affected my parents' emotional and physical health, and a legal process could worsen it."
Tablada openly reflected on the personal toll of his decision: "I recognize it's not a brave stand." Nonetheless, he prioritized his family's well-being, acknowledging the crucial support from his partner, Ruslan, and his parents throughout the ordeal.
Origins and Public Support
The controversy stemmed from critical posts Tablada made on his Facebook profile, including an article titled "The University and Resilience," dated February 2, 2026, where he detailed the dire conditions of Cuba's university system: power outages, transportation issues, faculty salaries between $10 and $15 monthly, and material shortages. Consequently, CUJAE's administration chose not to renew his contract, even declining his offer to teach voluntarily without pay.
The decision sparked a wave of solidarity: students and alumni supported Tablada on social media using the hashtag #ArquitecturaConTablada, the FEU council of the faculty sent a letter to the rector questioning the decision's disproportionality, and Cuban actor Luis Alberto García Novoa publicly condemned it with the message "SHAME! SHAME! A THOUSAND TIMES SHAME!!!"
This case has gained particular symbolic significance as Abel Tablada is the brother of Johana Tablada de la Torre, a senior official at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs and second-in-command at the Cuban Embassy in Mexico, who has publicly denied political repression in Cuba for years.
While no longer teaching at CUJAE, Tablada continues to engage in research and academic work with various institutions and mentioned he has more reflections to share about the case, although he's currently taking a pause.
In closing his post, he expressed gratitude: "I reiterate my thanks to the faculty's students and professors, and to all friends and people from many places for their concern, solidarity, empathy, for speaking out, and for the affection shown."
Frequently Asked Questions about Abel Tablada's Case
Why was Abel Tablada's contract not renewed?
The decision not to renew Abel Tablada's contract was linked to his critical Facebook posts about the Cuban university system's conditions. The administration deemed these posts as contentious.
What support has Abel Tablada received?
Abel Tablada received substantial support from students and alumni, who rallied on social media with the hashtag #ArquitecturaConTablada. Additionally, the FEU council and public figures criticized the administration's decision.
Is Abel Tablada pursuing legal action?
Abel Tablada has chosen not to pursue legal action to avoid further emotional and physical stress on his parents, despite having grounds to contest the decision as discriminatory.